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David Newman: Hold Cory Gardner accountable for his health-care votes

Posted:
10/28/2017 07:15:15 PM MDT

Talk of health-care reform has quieted recently after multiple failed reform votes in the Senate, and we have instead moved on to more "fun" topics. However easy it is to move on and take the win, though, we cannot let the issue of health care go. The differing Republican health-care bills were widely panned, yet the House was able to pass its reform bill while the skinny repeal in the Senate came within one vote of passing. The natural response by many to this is, of course, one of relief. But that isn't enough. As long as Republicans hold a majority in both Houses of Congress, health-care "reform" is still on the table and cannot be taken lightly.

As much as Obamacare needs relief, policy that raises premiums 20 percent and leaves over 22 million fewer people insured is nobody's solution. The American people agreed, as the AHCA recorded a low of a 17 percent approval rating. Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, however, didn't. Despite Gardner's initial concern about the House bill's effect on Medicaid expansion and despite the fact that 20 percent of Colorado citizens are on Medicaid, he was more than happy to support reform that would slash Medicare funding. Gardner cared more about tax cuts for the wealthy and improving his standing in the Republican Party than the needs of the people who elected him. He must be held accountable.

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Despite running as a reasonable pragmatist, Gardner has voted with Trump 94 percent of the time and blatantly disregarded the needs of his constituents. With our right to vote in the United States, there comes a responsibility to do so. And with so many lives on the line, Gardner was all too willing to vote the party line. Come November 2020, Colorado voters must exercise their right and hold him accountable.

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